Read More

“Firefighter and community safety absolutely has to sit at the heart of everything we do as a fire and rescue service.”

Before beginning his career on the frontline, Graeme spent 10 years as a professional classical violinist with three of Britain’s most celebrated orchestras: BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra in Glasgow, Hallé Orchestra in Manchester and Northern Sinfonia in Newcastle.

Graeme said: “There’s always been a history of music in my family, fiddle players in particular. I took to it quite naturally. As my mum would say, I’d get a tune out of anything.

“Growing up, school was never something I overly enjoyed. I went to Wallace High in Stirling, but I had no idea what I wanted to do when I left.

“I began studying at the old Queen’s College in Glasgow while working at Gleneagles Hotel, but had always continued my musical training.

“By then, I’d started learning from a new teacher, who played with the Scottish National Orchestra. He said he fully believed I could go professional with my music.

“I was very fortunate to be able to spend the best part of 10 years performing at these iconic venues, from the Royal Albert Hall in London to the Berlin Philharmoniker.

“But while you may love music, as soon as you do it as a job, the dynamic changes. I asked myself, ‘could I do this for the next 30 years?’

“So that was it. I packed all my stuff, moved to Southampton and started my career as a firefighter soon after.

“My only rule now is that I will never play for money. I have good friends that still live that life, and I love following what they do, but I don’t miss it.

“Joining the fire service at 28, I knew it was absolutely what I wanted to do, and I don’t look back with a single ounce of regret.”

After a decade performing in some of Europe’s most iconic concert halls, Graeme gave it all up to join the ranks at Hampshire.

His first week on the job was an especially poignant time for firefighters all across the world.

Read More

“I started just few days after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York,” he said.

“Three hundred and forty three firefighters lost their lives in this tragedy and it undoubtedly left its mark with their colleagues across the world, and still resonates strongly to this day.

“I remember on my first night on the job, with those images in my mind, and saying to myself: ‘This is the real deal now’.”

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has launched a public consultation as it proposes to train and equip firefighters to meet new and emerging modern risks, such as a terror attack and severe weather-related flooding.

Graeme added: “Scotland is changing, and the risks facing communities are changing.

“For example, we have an ageing population that will only rise significantly over the coming years.

“This will increase the number of people who are at risk of fire, and other forms of preventable harm within the home.

“We are absolutely committed to reducing the number of accidental house fires, and the best form of firefighting is by preventing fires from happening in the first place.

“In the last year, accidental dwelling fires have reduced by 12 per cent across Renfrewshire.”

Read More

He also told how his crews carried out more than 2,153 home fire safety visits in the region and fitted 1,944 smoke alarms over the same period.

The experienced firefighter went on: “The reduction in accidental dwelling fires is a clear result of our prevention work – but we are never complacent.

“Last month’s significant fire in Glasgow’s Sauchiehall Street undoubtedly highlights the service’s core business but, on the whole, the number of fires are reducing and we have a standing capacity that we can utilise to save more lives.

“We want to push the boundaries to benefit the region and offer the best service possible.”

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s public consultation, Your Service … Your Voice, closes on May 14.

Visit www.firescotland.gov.uk/transformation/public-consultation.aspx to take part.